Sawing-machine.



(No Model.)

M. A. BEES.

SAWING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 4, 1898.)

Pate nted Oct. 22,1901.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

' mvw/lloz' I #014 Homwgs! m: NORRIS PETERS cov Puo ouma, WASHINGTON n.c.

No. 684,9l9. Patented Oct. 22, I90I. m. A. 1152s. I I

SAWING MACHINE.

A lication filed Jan. 4, 1898.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

MARK A. DEES, OF MOSSPOINT, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOR TO ANNIE STARKEY DEES,OF MOSSPOINT, MISSISSIPPI.

SAWlNG-MACHINE.

SPEGIEIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,919, dated October22, 1901. Application filed January 4, 1898. Serial No. 665,511. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARK A. Dime, ofMosspoint, in the county of Jacksonand State'of Mississippi, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Sawing-Machines, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings and to the numerals of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to an improvement in machines for sawing logs afterbeing quartered into what is known as rift or quarter-sawed lumber, orlumber in which the grain runs at an angle of forty-five degrees or moreto the sides of the board when viewed from the end. This class of lumberis the most valuable obtainable from the log, and

hence sawmill operators endeavor to produce as much of it as possible.By the ordinary method of first slabbinga log and then sawing it up aconsiderable loss is sustained. In the first place, a large proportionof the resulting product is of inferior grade, because in a number ofthe boards the angle of the grain to the side is less than forty-fivedegrees, and they therefore command less than that paid for rift lumber,and, again, when lumber is quartered and sawed by the usual method aloss is entailed when the boards are 3o trimmed or edged, a portion ofthis loss coming from the best part of the board.

To obtain the greatest quantity of rift lumber and avoid the lossesheretofore resulting from its production, as well as to cheapen the costof manufacture, Iliave devised amachine wherein the entire log may becut into rift lumber in a rapid and certain manner.

In carrying out my invention I arrange two band or other saws with theirteeth facing in opposite directions, and which cross each other at aright angle between two supports on which the quarter-log is carried.These supports extend lengthwise in opposite directions from the cuttingedges of the saws,

their sides being at an angle of ninety degrees to each other andparallel with the saws, forming in appearance a trough-like receptaclewithin which the quarter-log is held. An overhead carriage driven by acable or other well-known means is provided with depending arms toengage with the ends of the quarter-log and move it lengthwise againstthe saws, which alternately cut a board from a fiat side of thequarter-log at each longitudinal movement.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of my improvedsawing-machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an endelevation. Figs. 4. and 5 show various details of construction. Fig. (3showsaquar- 6o ter of a log and the manner of its division .on shafts 78, are driven by belts passing over pulleys 9 10, fixed to the saidshafts. Extending upwardly through the floor of the sawmill are twobed-frames 11 12, the former lying parallel to and below the plane ofthe cutting edge of the saw 1, while the latter I occupies a relativeposition with respect to the saw 2. These bed-frames 11 12 extend-inopposite directions away from the cutting edges of the respectivecrossed saws 1 2 and on opposite sides of the angle formed thereby. Oneach bed-frame is mounted a sliding frame 15 and a fixed frame 16, theytogether forming a trough-shaped support for the quarter-log which reststherein, with its straight sides against the frames 15 16, as shown inFig. 3. Each movable frame 15 extends upwardly at a right angle to thebed-frameand consists of brackets 17, which resemble in appearance theknees of a head-block and are firmly connected by cross-braces, thusforming a rigid support in which are journaled aseries of rollers v 18for carrying a quarter-log and on which it can be easily moved in anendwise direction. Each frame 15 is arranged to slide on its bedframe toand from theplane of the saw, the rollers 18 being at all times parallelthereto, 10o Figs. 1 and 3.

The fixed frames 16 are secured to the bedframes, as shown, each beingsubstantiallya continuation of the movable frame 15 on the opposite sideof the saw, and, in connection with the movable frame on the same sideof the saw, it forms the above-men tioned troughshaped support in whichthe quarter-log rests. Rollers 18 are journaled in the fixed frame 16 tosustain the quarter-log. It will be observed on reference to Fig. '3that the upper surfaces of the inclined rollers 1S in the fixed frame 16liein a plane common with that of the upper surface of thesimilarly-inclined saw. The distance therefrom of the movable frame can,however, be increased or diminished, as desired, and for this purpose Imount in suitable bearings below the bed-frames 11 12 two rock-shafts 1920, in line with each other, the former being under the bed-frame 12,the latter under the bed-frame 11. On the rock-shaft 19 are secured arms21, which extend upwardly toward one of the movable frames 15, to whichthey are connected by means of links 23. Similararms 22 and linksconnect the rock-shaft 20 to the other m ovable frame 15. To the innerends of the rockshal'ts 19 20,which are in close proximity, are securedtwo hand-levers 24 25, extending upwardly in position to be grasped byan operator for the purpose of moving the frames 15 on their respectivebed-frames. The handlevers 24 25 are adj ustably connected together bymeans of a notched bar 26, pivoted to the upper end of the lever 24,engaging with a pin 27 on the hand-lever 25, which is extended beyondthe pin to form a handle, as shown. As thus constructed the tworock-shafts 19 20 when connected together act as one shaft, so that whenone movable frame 15 is depressed the other one will be elevated, andvice versa. The hand-lever 25 is retained in position by means of alatch 28, mounted thereon and adapted to engage with a curved rack 29,secured to the bed-frame l1. Stops 12 on the bed-frame 11 12 prevent theframes 15, with their rollers 18, from passing beyond the planes oftheir respective saws, while their movement awayfrom the saws isprovided for by means of two hand-levers 24 25. When it is desired tochange the thickness of the board to be cut from the quarter-log, it isonly necessary to disengage the notched plate 26 from the pin 27, afterwhich by increasing or decreasing the angle between the two levers 24 25the distance between the face of the frame 15 and the saw will beincreased or decreased in proportion to the change in the angle abovespoken of. After a board has been cut from the quarter-log the latterwill then be resting on the frame 15 which during the operation ofsawing was elevated, and the corresponding fixed frame 16. If the latch28is now unlocked, the weight of the log will depress the frame 15 onwhich it partially rests, and elevate the previously-depressed frame 15until further movement is prevented by the stops 12.

The inner end of each fixed frame lti that is to say, the end nearestthe saw-is brought to a sharp edge or made wedge-shaped, as at 31, andlies immediately behind its'adjacent saw and in line therewith in such aposition that it will enter the saw-kerf between the quarter-log and theboard being out therefrom and deflect the board away from the machineonto the floor or into a suitable carriage by which it is removed fromthe mill.

Attached to suitably-braced overhead supports 32 above thesawing-machine is a rail 33, extending the full length of thesawingmachine, its sides being grooved, as shown at 34. A carriage 35,provided with flanges 36, which fit'in the grooves 34 of the rails 33,is arranged to be moved lengthwise thereon by means of a cable 37 orother driving mechanism. Blocks 3S 39,11aving flanges 40, which fit ingrooves 41 in the side of the carriage 35, pivotally support twodepending arms 42 43, which project downwardly and engage the ends ofthe quarter-log for the purpose of presenting it endwise to each sawalternately as the carriage travels back and forth. Fingers 44 45project laterally from the pivoted ends of the arms 42 43 and areprovided with teeth or lugs 46, which engage with a rack 47 on the underside of the carriage By swinging the arms inward or toward each otherthe teeth 46 are disengaged from the rack 47, thus permitting the armsto be moved to any position on the carriage desired to engage with thevaried lengths of quarter-logs to be cut.

The operation of my invention is as follows: After a log has beenquartered, which can be done on any sawmill, one of the quarters will beplaced in one of the troughs formed by the frames 15 16 on one side ofthe saws, the adjustable connection between the hand-levers 24 25 havingbeen previously set to cut a board of the desired thickness. The weightof the quartered log being partly sustained by the movable frame 15, itwill cause this frame to slide down the inclined bed-frame whichsupports it as soon as the latch 28 on the lever 25 is disengaged fromthe curved rack 29.

The weight of the log will be more than sufficient to overcome thefriction of the moving parts, and hence no exertion will be required toset the machine for a new cut,which, so far as my information extends,is necessary in sawing-machines heretofore used. The next step will beto secure the overhead carriage to the quarter-log for the purpose ofmoving it against the saw. This is quickly done by moving the carriageover the quarterlog and sliding the blocks 38 39 inwardly until the arms42 43 strike the ends of the logs.

The cable or other driving means for the carriage may then be operatedto draw the carriage to the opposite end of the machine, and with it thequarter-log, endwise against that one of the rapidly-moving saws whichis parallel to the moving table on which the quarter is at that timeresting.

As the quarterlog is carried forward the wedge-shaped end 31 of theframe 16 enters the kerf made by the saw and deflects to one side theboard which is being out off and finally throws it off the machine ontothe floor or a carrier by which it is removed from the mill. At the sametime the main portion of the quarterlog after passing the wedge-shapedend 31 will pass onto the frames 15 and 16 on the other side of theOperating saw.

It is to be remembered that themovement of the frame 15 on one side ofthe saw by the weight of the quarter-log rest-ing thereon will cause theopposite frame 15 to be raised to the same plane occupied by the uppersurface of the inactive saw whose inclination is the same as that of theframe 15. As soon as the quarter-log reaches the opposite end of themachine after a board has been removed therefrom the hand-lever 25 mustbe unlocked, thereby permitting the movable frame 15, on which the logrests, to drop a suitable distance for the cutting of a board from theopposite face of the log. If the operator for any reason-as, forinstance, a defeet in the log-desires to cut a board of increased ordecreased thickness, it will be only necessary to change the anglebetween the levers 24 25, as before explained.

Among the advantages to be derived from the use of my invention maybementioned the following: The entire log may be sawed into rift lumber,which, as hereinbefore stated, is the most valuable, being best adaptedfor flooring and ceiling, and especially for the manufacture offurniture, an important consideration in the production of such lumberbeing that it will not shrink or swell. In the working of lumber intofurniture it is essential or advisable that the figure or grain of thewood, as in oak or other ornamental lumber, should appear, and this canonly result from the use of rift or quarter-sawed lumber.

Rift lumber is superior to fiat-sawed for barrel-staves and when sawedofi into boards of the requisite thickness and afterward run through anedging-machine is well adapted for barrel-hoops and also for heads forbarrels.

In the use of my invention there is also economy in the sawing oftimber, inasmuch as thin saws may be used-such, for example, as will notmakemore than one-eighth of an inch saw kerf. Furthermore, there is nowaste in sawing a log, the bark edge being taken off each plank after itis sawed off the quarter-log and all its defects have been seen. Again,after alog has been quartered the sawing is done from the insideoutwardly and at lines nearly directly from the center, whereby alldefects are readily seen and worked out. The inner edge, or thatfarthest from the bark, is the best part of a log, and in the use of themachine constituting my invention this edge is always square and needsno edging.

As the faces of the quarter-log rest upon thus be planed or dressed withminimum loss,

a shaving of one-sixteenth of an inch being sufficient, thus causing aboard one inch thick in the rough to finish up fifteen-sixteenths of aninch when dressed.

Having describedmy invention, I claim 1. In a sawing-machine, thecombination of fixed and movable work-supporting frames, two sawscrossing each other at a right angle, and means for alternatelyoperating the movable frames to and from the planes of the saws,substantially as set forth.

2. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws crossing each otherat a right angle and adapted to out in opposite directions, a fixed anda movable frame which together form a trough for carrying the materialto be cut, and means for moving the material lengthwise in the troughagainst either saw, substantially as set forth.

3. In a sawing-machine, a saw, in combination with a work-supportingframe having a movable side, the said movable side being adapted to actas a gage and to be moved to a gaging position by the weight of thematerial thereon, substantially as set forth.

4. In a sawing-machine, saws crossed and facing in opposite directions,in combination with a work-supporting frame in front of each saw, oneside of which is movable, each movable side being adapted to act as agage and to be moved to a gaging position by the weight of the materialthereon, and connections between the movable sides, substantially as setforth.

5. In a sawing-machine, the combination of saws, fixed and movablework-supporting frames, and means for alternately advancing one movableframeinto the plane of one saw and withdrawing the other away from theplane of the other saw, substantially as set forth.

6. Thecombination with a saw, ofa troughlike support for a quarter-logleading both to and from the saw, and so arranged that the board beingcut may pass outside of the trough while the balance of the quarter-logremains in the trough, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with saws facing in opposite directions, of atrough-like support for a quarter-log in front of each saw, the saidtrough-like supports being in line longitudinally and so arranged thatthe board being cut passes outside of the trough while the balance ofthe log remains in the trough, substantially as set forth.

8. In a sawing-machine, the combination of a pair of crossed saws, amovable frame extending outwardly from the teeth of each saw, and afixed frame in line with each movable frame and constituting asubstantial continuation thereof, its end nearest the saw having awedge-shaped extension, substantially as set forth.

9. In a sawing-machine, the combination of a pair of crossed saws, atrough-like support in front of each saw, one side of one support andthe opposite side of the other support being movable, and movableconnections between the two troughs, substantially as set forth.

10. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws adapted to cut at aright angle to each other, and a trough-shaped support facing each saw,one side of each troughshaped support having a wedge-shaped extensionclose to and parallel to a saw, substantially as set forth.

11. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws running in planesat right angles to each other and cutting in opposite directions, and atrough-shaped support extending from the cutting edge of each saw,substantially as set forth.

12. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws running in planesat right angles to each other and provided with oppositelyfaced teeth,and a trough-shaped support for the log extending outwardly from thecutting edge of each saw, the trough-shaped supports being in lineendwise, substantially as set forth.

13. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws running in planesat right angles to each other their teeth being oppositely placed, and atrough-shaped support for the log, facing each saw each extending fromthe teeth of a saw outwardly in an opposite direction, and each having afixed side and a movable side, substantially as set forth.

let. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws running in planesat right angles to each other, and a trough-shaped log-support extendingoutwardly from the cutting edge of each saw, the diagonally-oppositesides of each of which supports are movable and connected, substantiallyas set forth.

15. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws running in planesat right angles to each other, a trough-shaped log-support in front ofeach saw, each support having a movable side and a fixed side, thelatter being provided with a wedge-shaped extension, substantially asset forth.

16. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws having cuttingedges at right an gles to each other, a trough-shaped support extendingin opposite directions away from each of the saws, and an overheadcarriage to engage the log and drive it from one support to the otherpast the saws, substantially as set forth.

17. Inasawing-machine,aquarter-log support consisting of a fixed sideand a movable side at an angle to the fixed side, in combination with asaw running in a plane parallel to that of the movable side, thedirection of movement of the said movable side being perpendicular tothe plane of the saw, substantially as set forth.

18. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws running in a planeat right angles to each other and cutting in opposite directions, and atrough-shaped support for the material to be out extending outwardlyfrom the cutting edge of each saw, one side of each trough-shapedsupportbeing movable, substantially as set forth.

19. In a sawing-machine, the combination of two saws, crossed and facingin opposite directions, a fixed and a movable work-supporting frame infront of each saw, each fixed frame forming a continuation of the way orsupport afforded by the movable frame on the opposite side of the saws,substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with saws facingin opposite directions, of awork-support having a movable side in front of each saw, a rockshaftbeneath each support flexibly connected to the adjacent movable side andan adjustable connection between the rock-shafts, substantially as setforth.

21. The combination with saws facing in opposite directions, of awork-support having a movable side in front of each saw, a rockshaftbeneath each movable side and flexibly connected thereto, an adjustableconnection between the rock-shafts, and means for looking therock-shafts in a fixed position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 18th day of December,1897.

MARK ASHLEY DEES.

Witnesses:

HELEN E. PARKER, SIDNEY P. I IoLLINesWon'rH.

